Sit-in protest outside Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple | File PhotoThiruvananthapuram: Women wearing churidar were not allowed to enter the renowned Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the Kerala capital Wednesday morning, despite an order issued by the executive officer of the temple.
Traditionally, women were required to wear either a saree or drape a mundu over their churidar or salwar kameez before entering the temple. The executive officer’s order Tuesday allowed women wearing churidar, traditionally worn by north Indian women but which has become the de facto dress for most Keralite women in the last couple of decades, to enter the temple.
But women who came wearing churidars Wednesday morning were turned away by temple staff who claimed that they had not received the executive officer’s order. However, a few women managed to enter the temple wearing churidars through the padinjare nada (entrance at the west).
A section of devotees also held a sit-in protest at the temple entrance against the order relaxing the dress code.
Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran said he had come to know about the officer's decision and the protests. "Government will take an appropriate decision on the matter after looking into all aspects," he told reporters.
Executive officer K.N. Sathish had said Tuesday that his order was based on a directive by the Kerala High Court and that it was implemented with immediate effect.
Asked if any status quo has been directed on the matter, executive officer said he had not received any such order as of now.
"A decision was taken today to allow women to wear churidars. From this evening itself, devotees can offer worship wearing churidars," the official had said Tuesday, a statement rejected by the temple’s tantri (priest).
The temple's senior tantri Nedumpilli Tharanalloor Parameshwaran Namboodiripad voiced opposition to allowing women to wear churidar in the temple premises, saying it was against customs and age-old traditions of the shrine.
The traditional dress code should continue, he informed the Administrative Committee and executive officer, temple sources said. The Administrative Committee also said that the present dress code should be continued.
"The committee is of the firm view that these kinds of issues which are superfluous are being raked up, only to sideline other important matters affecting the temple and its administration," the Administrative Committee said, adding, "the age old tradition in vogue cannot be changed without wider consultation."
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple, built in an intricate fusion of the indigenous Kerala style and Dravidian style of architecture, is considered the richest Hindu temple in the world.
(With agency inputs)
